November 13, 2007 14:55

The Verve to headline Glastonbury 2008?

Richard Ashcroft says it will be a 'travesty' if they don't

Photo Gallery: The Verve

The Verve frontman Richard Ashcroft wants the band to headline Glastonbury 2008.

The star insisted it would be a "travesty" if they didn’t take centre stage at the event – though the recently-reformed band faces serious competition for one of the coveted slots.

Speaking to XFM, Ashcroft said: "I think it would be a travesty if we didn’t. Because I think what’s missing from a lot of the headliners is we’re one of the few bands that can jam without sounding like Lynyrd Skynyrd on a bad night, so we can actually take people on a proper journey, rock 'n' roll-wise.

He added: "I think that’s what’s great. If you can do that on the big stage, the big tunes can get 60,000 people singing but you’ve also got the capacity to change a standard rock gig into something else.

"I suppose that’s what's been exciting about playing and we’ll be excited about playing then."

Glastonbury co-organiser Emily Eavis was spotted at one of the band’s London Roundhouse shows last week (November 6), fuelling speculation the band will play the event for the first time since 1995.

However, Emily’s dad and festival boss Michael Eavis recently told NME.COM seven acts were in contention for the three Pyramid Stage headline slots.

Acts who could be in contention include Muse, Bruce Springsteen, Radiohead, REM, Led Zeppelin and Kylie Minogue.

The 2008 bash takes place between June 27 and 29.